JP4540752B2 - Content distribution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution system for progressive download reproduction (pseudo streaming reproduction) and a program for reproducing various contents such as movies and moving pictures taken by a video camera while downloading.

  The present invention also relates to a conversion processing method, a conversion processing apparatus, and a conversion processing program for converting an image signal according to the VC-1 encoding method in relation to the content.

  A content distribution system and a reproduction method for performing progressive download reproduction are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867. The distribution system disclosed in Patent Document 1 adds reproduction bit rate information when content is transmitted from a distribution server to a reception client via the Internet, and the reception client performs progressive reproduction based on the reproduction bit rate information. If it is possible, playback is started.

  On the other hand, a stream file by the VC-1 (Video Codec-1) encoding method that can be played back using the software of Windows Media Player (registered trademark, also referred to as WMP) includes a simple profile, a main profile, and an advanced profile. There are three types of profiles (see paragraph 0023 of Patent Document 2), but there is no data compatibility between the simple / main profile and the advanced profile. Further, the VC-1 advanced profile can be played back on the Blu-ray playback device, but neither the simple / main profile of VC-1 can be played back on the Blu-ray playback device.

JP 2008-278090 A No. 2006/025527

  In the above-described progressive download reproduction, in the conventional example described in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that progressive reproduction is impossible, the download is continued until reproduction is possible. Time occurs.

  For this reason, it may be possible to prepare a plurality of stream files with different data amounts in the distribution server and select a stream file with an appropriate data amount according to the communication speed of the network. Since the clip info file corresponding to the file defines the data amount of the stream file in advance, there is a problem that even if a stream file having a data amount different from the defined data amount is downloaded, it cannot be reproduced.

That challenges to the present invention is to solve is to provide the waiting time and interruption time with no progressive download-and-play that is possible distribution system and program.

In the present invention, a stream file having a data amount corresponding to a communication speed is selected from a plurality of stream files stored in the distribution server and having different data amounts, and the data amount of the stream file is defined by the management file. by adjusting the amount of data, to solve the above Symbol challenges.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform progressive download reproduction without waiting time or interruption time.

1 is a block diagram showing a digital data distribution system using a program according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a data structure diagram showing a playlist file, a clip info file, and a stream file used in the digital data distribution system of FIG. 1. It is a data structure figure which shows three stream files from which the data amount stored in the delivery server of FIG. 1 differs. FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram for explaining adjustment of data amount executed by the playback apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram for explaining adjustment of the data amount of an I picture executed by the playback device shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the digital audio video information recording device to which 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment of invention are applied. It is a figure which shows the top menu at the time of reproducing | regenerating BD produced with the recording device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the reproduction | regeneration image and pop-up menu at the time of reproducing | regenerating BD produced with the recording device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure containing the top menu of BD-Live at the time of reproducing | regenerating BD produced with the recording device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of product information download among the top menus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of a periphery accessory net shop among the top menus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of the audio | voice video upload among the top menus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of another company's advertisement among the top menus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of another company's net shop among the top menus of FIG. It is a process flowchart which shows the conversion processing method of the image signal to which 4th Embodiment of invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the conversion processing apparatus which performs the conversion process of the image signal shown in FIG.

<< First Embodiment >>
The playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a playback apparatus that complies with the BD-Live standard, and is connected to the distribution server 4 via a communication line such as the Internet 5 and is used for a desired movie such as a movie or a video captured by a video camera. This is so-called progressive download playback, in which playback starts while downloading content. This progressive download reproduction is performed by a program such as a Java (registered trademark) program that can be recorded and executed in the format of the Blu-ray Disc medium BD.

  The playback device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device capable of playing back information in the BD format, and includes a BD input unit, an information processing CPU, and an output unit to the display device B2. The playback apparatus 1 shown in the figure shows a functional block in a state in which a BD in which a Java (registered trademark) program is recorded is set in the input unit of the apparatus and the contents of the program are expanded on the information processing CPU. The program of the present invention can be downloaded from the distribution server 4 in addition to being recorded on the BD.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the program of the present embodiment is read into the playback device 1, the input / output unit 11, the decoding unit 12, the management file storage unit 13, the stream file storage unit 14, the capacity adjustment unit 15, and the detection unit 16. Various functions such as the selection unit 17 and the reproduction control unit 18 are developed.

  The input / output unit 11 outputs a predetermined content download request to the distribution server 4 and inputs the downloaded content. For example, the download request of the content is provided in the download screen of the distribution server with options of “download” and “progressive download playback”, and when “download” is clicked, normal download is executed and recorded in a memory (not shown) of the playback device 1 On the other hand, when “Progressive download playback” is clicked, progressive download playback is executed. Description of normal download is omitted, and progressive download reproduction will be described below.

  Here, the data structure of the content handled in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. One content (for example, one movie) is composed of a playlist file, a clip info file, and a stream file. . The playlist file is a file that holds information for performing stream reproduction, and has a plurality of play items 1, 2,..., N, and is configured by one file for one content.

The clip info file is a file in which there are a plurality of clip info files 1, 2,... N corresponding to each play item of the playlist file, and holds information such as the size and playback time of the stream file.
The stream file is, for example, a video compression standard H.264. It is a playback AV stream file such as m2ts which is a moving image file saved in the H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC format, and there is one file for each of the above-mentioned play item and clip info file. Therefore, there are as many stream files as clip info files. Reproduction is possible by the existence of one clip info file and one stream file corresponding to these playlists.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the decryption unit 12 composites the clip info file encrypted by the distribution server 4. That is, when the content capacity is large, there are many clip info files for one playlist file. In order to reduce the download time of the clip info file, the clip info file is downloaded on the distribution server 4 side. Encrypt (compress) using a certain algorithm. The decoding unit 12 decodes (decompresses) the compressed clip info file using a predetermined algorithm.

  However, when the data amount of the clip info file is less than the predetermined amount so that the transmission time of the clip info file is less than the predetermined time, the distribution server B4 does not encrypt the file. Also does not perform the compounding process.

  The management file storage unit 13 is a buffer memory, temporarily stores the playlist file and the clip info file downloaded from the distribution server 4, and deletes them when the content reproduction processing is completed. However, it can also be held without being erased, and if held, the playlist file and clip info file held when viewing the same content again can be used, so the download time can be shortened.

  The stream file storage unit 14 is also a buffer memory, temporarily stores the stream file downloaded from the distribution server 4 and deletes it when the content reproduction process is completed. That is, the stream file of the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of parts, and each stream file is downloaded sequentially, but the downloaded stream file is sequentially stored in the stream file storage unit (buffer memory) as shown in FIG. It is erased when playback ends.

  The detection unit 16 detects the communication speed over the Internet 5 between the distribution server 4 and the playback device 1. In this detection, the communication speed when the first stream file (data amount is known) may be detected, or the communication speed of the stream file downloaded immediately before may be detected. It is also possible to send a speed detection file with a known data amount from the distribution server 4 to the playback apparatus 1 and detect the communication speed at this time.

  Based on the current communication speed detected by the detection unit 16, the selection unit 17 selects a stream file having an appropriate data amount from a plurality of stream files stored in the distribution server 4 and having different data amounts. To do. That is, in the distribution server 4 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, three types of stream files having different data amounts are prepared for one stream file. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the Hi bit rate stream file with the largest amount of data (communication speed is 10 Mbps), the Low bit rate stream file with the smallest data amount (communication speed is 2 Mbps), and the middle bit rate stream in between. Three types of stream files having the same contents but different data amounts, which are files (communication speed is 5 Mbps), are stored in the content storage unit 43 of the distribution server 4. Stream files having different data amounts are prepared for each stream file 1, 2,... N. The amount of data can be adjusted by changing the frame rate fps, compression ratio, resolution, and the like.

  Then, if the Hi bit rate stream file is downloaded when the current communication speed detected by the detection unit 16 is slow, it takes a long time to download. The download of the stream file does not end and the image reproduction is interrupted.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, the communication speed detected by the detection unit 16 is classified into three stages in advance, and if the speed is higher than the first predetermined value, the Hi bit rate stream file is selected, and the first predetermined value is selected. The low bit rate stream file is selected by the selection unit 17 when the speed is lower than the smaller second predetermined value, and the middle bit rate stream file is selected between the first and second predetermined values. As a result, even when the communication speed is low, the download of the next stream file ends before the reproduction of the previous stream file ends. On the other hand, when the communication speed is high, a high-quality stream file can be reproduced.

  The capacity adjustment unit 15 adjusts the data amount of the stream file selected and downloaded by the selection unit 17 to the data amount defined in the corresponding clip info file.

  The clip info file retains the data amount of the corresponding stream file and performs playback processing using this information together with the playlist file during playback. The data amount specified in the clip info file and the actual stream file If the data amount is different, the playback process cannot be executed.

  Particularly in the case of this embodiment, the playlist file and the clip info file are downloaded to the management file storage unit 13 at the beginning of the download, whereas the stream file is one of three types of data amounts according to the communication speed. One stream file is selected. Therefore, the data amount of the stream file specified in advance in the clip info file may differ from the data amount of the actually downloaded stream file.

  In this example, the data amount of the Hi bit rate stream file is defined in the clip info file. Therefore, when a middle bit rate or low bit rate stream file is downloaded, the data amount differs from that specified in the clip info file.

  Therefore, when the selection unit 17 selects a middle bit rate or low bit rate stream file and downloads it, the data amount of this stream file is set to the Hi bit rate stream file specified in the clip info file. In order to adjust the data amount, padding data is added. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, empty data called Null Pack is added to the middle bit rate or low bit rate stream file by the difference in data amount from the hi bit rate stream file. The Null Pack is data for adjusting the amount of data, and the playback control unit 18 ignores the Null Pack during playback processing.

  The playback control unit 18 performs a playback process on the stream file adjusted by the capacity adjustment unit 15 (adjustment that does not add padding data to the Hi bit rate stream file) based on the playlist file and the clip info file. Execute and output to the display device 2. As a result, the content downloaded to the display device 2 is progressively downloaded and reproduced.

  The distribution server 4 inputs a live video from the imaging device 3 such as a video camera and a request signal from the playback device 1, and outputs the content stored in the content storage unit 43, and the imaging device 3. The content generation unit 42 that generates digital data of the BD-Live standard from the live video input from the content, and the content storage unit 43 that stores the content generated by the content generation unit 42.

  As described above, the content storage unit 43 has a Hi bit rate stream file (communication speed is 10 Mbps) with the largest data amount and a low bit rate stream file (communication speed is the smallest data amount) for one stream file. 3 types of stream files (2 Mbps) and middle middle bit rate stream files (communication speed is 5 Mbps), which have the same contents and different data amounts, are stored.

  In addition, the content generation unit 42, when the data amount of the plurality of clip info files is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount so that the transmission time of the plurality of clip info files is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, Encrypt (compress) using.

  In addition, when a fast-forward or fast-reverse request signal is input from the playback device 1, the content generation unit 42 extracts only I pictures included in the generated content stream file and stores them in the content storage unit 43. The data is sent to the playback device 1 via the input / output unit 41.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stream file encodes a difference between an I picture (Intra Picture) that can be decoded for image generation separately from other pictures and data predicted from both past and future frames. The B picture and the P picture encoded with the difference between the data predicted from the past frame are sent to the playback apparatus 1 only when the I picture that can generate an image is forwarded or rewinded. In response to this, the playback device 1 adds padding data having a data amount corresponding to the data amount of the originally existing B picture and P picture between the I picture and the next I picture in the capacity adjustment unit 15. Thereby, fast forward or fast reverse operation can be executed based on the clip info file.

  As described above, for example, when a content such as a movie stored in the content storage unit 43 of the distribution server 4 is to be progressively downloaded and reproduced, a request for progressive download reproduction is sent from the reproduction device 1 to the distribution server 4. Receiving this, the distribution server 4 outputs a playlist file and a plurality of clip info files among the contents stored in the content storage unit 43 to the input / output unit 11 of the playback device 1 via the Internet 5 for playback. The apparatus 1 stores it in the management file storage unit 13. At this time, if the data amount of the clip info file is large, a plurality of clip info files are compressed and transmitted on the distribution server 4 side, decompressed by the decoding unit 12 of the playback device 1, and then stored in the management file storage unit 13. To do.

  After downloading the playlist file and the clip info file, a plurality of stream files are downloaded sequentially. The first stream file downloads a Hi bit rate stream file, and the detection unit 16 detects the communication speed by detecting the download time of this stream file. For the next stream file, the selection unit 17 selects a file of an appropriate size from the three types of stream files based on the detected communication speed. For example, a low bit rate stream file with a small size is selected when the communication speed is low, and a high bit rate stream file with a large size is selected when the communication speed is fast. This download process is repeated until the last stream file.

  When the stream file selected by the selection unit 17 has a file size other than the Hi bit rate stream file, padding data is added by the capacity adjustment unit 15 as shown in FIG. Make it equal to the file size of the file.

When the stream file whose capacity is adjusted in this way is used, the stream file can be reproduced based on the playlist file and the clip info file stored in the management file storage unit 13. In addition, since the selection unit 17 selects and downloads a stream file having an appropriate file size according to the communication speed, it is possible to prevent the image reproduction from being interrupted during the reproduction.
Note that a live video taken at an event venue such as an athletic meet is transmitted to the distribution server 4 via the Internet 5 by the imaging device 3 shown in FIG. 1, and the distribution server 4 generates content based on the live video. On the other hand, if the playback device 1 at a location away from the event venue is connected to the distribution server 4, a live video such as an athletic meet can be viewed in real time at a location away.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Incidentally, a recording apparatus that records digital audio / video information on a high-density recording medium such as a Blu-ray disc medium (hereinafter also referred to as BD) is known. In the BD format, in addition to audio / video information, a Java program having a network connection function can be recorded. Therefore, when a BD is played back, information from a server designated by the Java (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) program is downloaded. be able to.

  Conventional BDs cannot set whether or not to connect according to the user, and can download information from a server designated by the network connection program for any BD. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a BD that allows only a specific user to connect to a specific server.

  Further, in the conventional BD, a content such as a movie and a Java program are recorded on a master, and this is pressed to obtain a BD on which the Java program is recorded. Therefore, it has been desired to develop an apparatus capable of easily recording a desired Java program according to a user's request together with audio / video information.

  In addition to the functions of the first embodiment described above, this embodiment provides a BD system that allows only a specific user to connect to a specific server. The present embodiment also provides a recording apparatus capable of recording desired digital audio / video information and a desired Java program on a BD with a simple operation.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of the digital audio / video information recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment based on the distribution system according to the first embodiment described above.

  The recording apparatus B1 of this example includes an input unit B11 configured with a USB terminal or the like for inputting digital audio / video information captured by an imaging apparatus such as a high-resolution video camera B2 or a digital camera B3, and the input digital Selects a conversion unit B12 that converts audio / video information into digital audio / video information in BDMV format, a storage unit B14 that stores a Java program having one or more network connection functions, and a Java program stored in the storage unit B14 By the selection control unit B13, the BDMV digital audio / video information converted by the conversion unit B12, the recording control unit B15 for recording the Java program selected by the selection unit B13 on the Blu-ray disc medium BD, and the recording control unit B15 Buttons for the user to issue a recording start instruction and a selection instruction by the selection unit B13. And configured operating unit B16 from performing such display of the program by the selection unit B13, and a display unit B17 and the like display.

  Audio video information (some video information is also available) shot with the HD video camera B2 or the digital camera B3 is information defined in a format based on the DVD standard or AVCHD (registered trademark) standard. The data is taken into the conversion unit B12 via the input unit B11. Actually, by operating the operation menu of the video camera B2 or the digital camera B3, a desired moving image or still image is selected from a plurality of moving images or still images, and sent from the imaging device side to the recording device B1.

  The conversion unit B12 converts the audio / video information defined in the above-described DVD standard or the like into an audio / video signal in the BDMV format using a conversion program.

  A plurality of Java programs are stored in the storage unit B14, and a desired Java program to be recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD can be selected by operating the operation unit B16 from among the plurality of Java programs displayed on the display unit B17. it can. The number of Java programs to be selected is usually one, but a plurality of programs can be selected and recorded.

  Note that the selection unit B13 may be omitted, and a predetermined Java program may be recorded together with the audio / video information.

  Storage of the Java program in the storage unit B14 can be performed by operating the operation unit B16 via the input unit B11. A ROM in which a Java program is recorded in advance can also be used as the storage unit B14.

  The recording control unit B15 executes control to write the BDMV audio / video information converted by the conversion unit B12 and the Java program selected by the selection unit B13 to the Blu-ray disc BD in accordance with a recording start command from the operation unit B16. To do.

  With the above recording apparatus B1, it is possible to create a Blu-ray disc in which the audio / video signal and the Java program are recorded. Next, the function of the Blu-ray disc BD created by the recording device B1 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a top menu when the Blu-ray disc BD created using the above-described recording device B1 is played back by the playback device. The title of the recorded audio-video information is displayed on the left side, and an icon for shifting to BD-Live by the Java program is displayed on the lower right.

  When any of the titles on the left side is selected in the top menu of FIG. 7, a moving image or a still image corresponding to the title is displayed as shown in FIG. When the pop-up button of the playback device is pressed while this audio / video information is displayed, a list of titles recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD is displayed as shown in FIG. 8, and the titles to be displayed can be switched as necessary. it can. The above is the playback operation of a moving image or a still image in the playback device.

  Next, in the top menu of FIG. 7, when the BD-Live icon at the lower right is clicked, the Java program recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD is operated, and the BD-Live top menu shown at the lower left of FIG. 9 is displayed. . In this example, item 1 for automatically downloading information on a product such as a video camera or digital camera that has taken a video or still image, for example, information on the network on which the product specifications or instruction manual of the camera is posted, Item 2 for accessing a shop on the network for purchasing the peripheral device (accessory) of the camera, and uploading a moving image or a still image recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD to a predetermined site such as YOUTUBE (registered trademark) Item 3, item 4 for accessing the camera or another company's advertising site affiliated with the camera manufacturer, and other company's online shop affiliated with the camera manufacturer, such as Rakuten (registered trademark) site or Amazon (registered trademark) site Item 5 for accessing etc. is displayed.

  For example, if item 1 or 2 is selected, the playback device is connected to the BD-Live server via the Internet according to the Java program, and the product information and peripheral device information of the camera is downloaded and displayed on the display of the playback device. Is displayed. When the items 3 to 5 are selected, the playback device is connected to the BD-Live server via the Internet, and the other company's advertising server, the other company's net shop server, or the audio / video information upload server from the BD-Live server via the Internet. Connected to.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a display example of product information when item 1 is selected in FIG. In the Java program recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD, the model number of the camera is recorded, thereby accessing the corresponding site from the BD-Live server and displaying the product information on the display of the playback device. Thereby, the user can obtain the product specifications and instruction manual of the camera. In addition, since a Java program that automatically obtains information about the camera product of the company is recorded on the Blu-ray Disc BD for the camera manufacturer, so-called user enclosure can be performed and an advertisement / sales expansion effect can be expected.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a display example of the peripheral device net shop when item 2 is selected in FIG. 9. As described above, since the model number of the camera is recorded in the Java program of the Blu-ray Disc BD, the peripheral device, SD card or SDHC is accessed by accessing the net shop where the peripheral device of this model number is posted. Information such as recording media such as cards, interchangeable lenses and filters for cameras, AC / DC battery chargers, cables, camera storage bags and tripods are displayed on the display of the playback device. As a result, the user can easily purchase the peripheral device of the camera. Similarly to the item 1, the camera maker can expect an advertisement / sales expansion effect by the user's enclosure.

  FIG. 10C is an example of an upload menu displayed on the display of the playback device when item 3 is selected in FIG. In the Java program of the Blu-ray Disc BD, the URL of a site (such as the above-mentioned YOUTUBE (registered trademark)) for freely uploading moving images and still images is recorded, and when accessing the site and selecting upload, FIG. A list of moving images or still images recorded on the Blu-ray disc BD is displayed as shown in FIG. By selecting the image you want to upload from among them, you can easily upload the image you shot to the site.

  FIG. 10D is a diagram showing a display example of other company product information when item 4 is selected in FIG. 9. The other company in this case is a camera manufacturer or the like that has partnered with the camera manufacturer, and can obtain advertising revenue as the price instead of providing its own sales network to the other company. The user can also obtain information on cameras from manufacturers other than the camera manufacturer.

  FIG. 10E is a diagram showing a display example of a net shop when item 5 is selected in FIG. In this case as well, as in item 4, since the user accesses the internet shop in cooperation with the camera manufacturer, it is possible to obtain advertising revenue as the price instead of guiding their customers to the internet shop. In addition, the user can easily obtain information from a net shop related to the camera.

  Although illustration is omitted, when item 1 or item 2 is selected (FIGS. 10A and 10B), a step for connecting to a plurality of servers as well as a single server is included in the Java program and downloaded at predetermined time intervals. The information screen can be switched continuously, or a pop-up menu can be displayed on the first download screen so that the user can select a desired server from a plurality of servers.

  In addition, an identifier unique to the medium is recorded in advance on the Blu-ray Disc BD, but a step of transmitting this unique identifier to the server via the playback device can be included in the Java program. The server that has received the unique identifier can select information to be provided for each unique identifier, or can store information provided in the past and display history information on the display of the playback device. This modified embodiment will be described later.

  In addition, the Java program can include a step of storing a so-called bookmark function in the playback device. In other words, when a Blu-ray Disc BD is being played back, the address of the scene is registered in the storage unit of the playback device by pressing the bookmark button of the playback device in a specific scene. Then, by selecting a bookmark registered at the time of reproduction again, the specific scene is searched and jumped.

  Furthermore, a play (game) program may be included in the Java program, and the game program may be executed by the playback device.

<< Third Embodiment >>
In the second embodiment described above, the digital audio / video information photographed by the imaging device such as the video camera B2 and the digital camera B3 using the recording device B1 shown in FIG. The Blu-ray Disc medium BD is used to connect to the BD-Live server shown in FIG. 9, and the unique identifier ID recorded in advance on the Blu-ray Disc medium BD is transmitted to the server as one embodiment. Information provided for each unique identifier is selected, information provided in the past is stored, and history information is displayed on the display of the playback device.

  As another embodiment, it is possible to connect to a BD-Live server using a Blu-ray disc medium BD in which a Java program having a network connection function and a unique identifier ID of the medium are recorded by a press or the like.

  This type of medium BD-ROM is attached to, for example, a book, catalog, etc., and when the user who has received it is set in the BD playback device shown in FIG. 9, the Java program is started, and the Java program is executed via the network. Connect to the specified BD-Live server.

  In the second embodiment described above, the server is configured so that the top menu shown in FIG. 9 is launched when connected to the BD-Live server. In this example, the medium stored in the medium BD-ROM together with the Java program is stored in the medium. The unique identifier ID is read, and output of information after the top menu is permitted or content to be output is selected according to the unique identifier ID.

  That is, in the system shown in FIG. 9, a program for reading the unique identifier ID stored in the medium BD-ROM is installed in the BD-Live server, and the unique identifier ID of the accessed medium BD-ROM is read to the server. The program for reading the unique identifier of the medium can be stored in the medium BD-ROM itself. However, since the logic of the read program may be elucidated and forged, it must be installed only on the BD-Live server. It is desirable to keep it.

  Then, a unique identifier ID for permitting connection is input to the BD-Live server in advance, and it is determined whether or not to output information by comparing with the unique identifier of the accessed medium. For example, the top menu shown in FIG. 9 is output, and downloading of the contents thereafter is permitted. If the unique identifier of the accessed medium BD-ROM cannot be permitted, a warning character string such as “cannot be connected” is output to the BD playback device.

  According to such a medium BD-ROM, only a specified medium can automatically access a specific BD-Live server, and a specific content can be provided to a specific user.

<< 4th Embodiment >>
FIG. 11 is a process chart showing an image signal conversion processing method to which the fourth embodiment of the invention is applied, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an image signal conversion processing apparatus.

  In the following, the present invention will be described by taking an example of converting a simple profile or main profile 1 moving image signal in accordance with the VC-1 encoding method into a file format that can be reproduced by a Blu-ray reproducing apparatus in real time. Note that the conversion processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present embodiment can be provided in the distribution server 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so that the content storage unit 43 can perform the VC-1 encoding method. The stored image data can be converted in real time and output to the playback apparatus 1.

  The simple profile or main profile 1 using the VC-1 encoding method encodes a discrete pixel signal obtained by sampling a plurality of pixel signals (analog signals) using the VC-1 method (here, compression processing). In order to increase the compression rate, the pixel signal is preprocessed using a discrete cosine transform (DCT).

  This discrete cosine transform is a conversion process that decomposes an analog signal as an original image into frequency components such as low frequency and high frequency using an algorithm called mathematical discrete cosine transform. For example, it is sensitive to the visual characteristics of the human eye. Low frequency components can be mainly extracted, and can be used as preprocessing for removing high frequency components that have little effect on visual characteristics.

A frequency component (referred to as a DCT coefficient) of the pixel signal subjected to the discrete cosine transform is compressed by a VC-1 encoder and recorded as a VC-1 simple profile or a main profile C1.
In this example, preprocessing of header information is executed on the VC-1 simple profile or main profile C1 recorded in this way, and a header information table required for decoding is created.

  That is, as header information of the VC-1 stream, the sequence header, picture layer, and macroblock layer of the simple profile or the main profile are converted into the advanced profile. In addition, although not in the simple profile or the main profile, a required slice layer is added to the advanced profile.

  Following the pre-processing, the VC-1 decoder performs decoding processing C2 (decompression processing here) on the VC-1 simple profile or main profile C1 as shown in FIG. A component C3, that is, a DC component and an AC component are generated. This frequency component becomes a DCT coefficient C3 by discrete cosine transform executed as preprocessing of the compression processing described above. In the conversion processing apparatus of FIG. 12, the frequency component generation unit C2A executes this process.

  Next, an offset value corresponding to a constant added by a constant addition process described later is added to the DCT coefficient C3 of each pixel signal (offset value addition process C4 in FIG. 11 and offset value addition unit C4A in FIG. 12).

  In the VC-1 advanced profile decoding process, a constant C7 is added to the pixel signal C6 obtained by performing the inverse discrete cosine transform process C5 on the DCT coefficient C3. On the other hand, in the decoding process of the simple profile and the main profile, this constant addition process is not performed. Therefore, when the simple profile and the main profile are combined with the decoding algorithm of the advanced profile, that is, in the Blu-ray playback device. When reproduced, the color or luminance is shifted by the number of constants to be added, and the original image cannot be reproduced.

  For this reason, in this example, an offset value corresponding to a constant added by the decoding algorithm of the advanced profile, that is, an offset value that cancels the constant is added in advance to the DCT coefficient, and thereby the constant is added in the constant addition processing C7. The original color or luminance of the pixel signal. For example, according to the standard SMPTE421M (standard for VC-1 video coding) of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the constant to be added is defined as 128. Therefore, the offset value is 128.

  However, the constant added in the constant addition process C7 is a pixel coordinate, for example, a constant in −128 to +128, whereas the object to be added in the frequency component offset value addition process 4 is a frequency component coordinate, for example, 0 to 256. The coordinate dimensions of the two may be different. For this reason, the correspondence between the pixel coordinates and the frequency coordinates is set in advance, the offset value of the offset value addition process C4 corresponding to the constant in the constant addition process 7 is calculated, and this is added to the DCT coefficient C3.

  When an offset value is added to each pixel signal, an inverse discrete cosine transform process C5 is performed on each pixel signal to generate a pixel signal C6. Since the above-described discrete cosine transform is a reversible process, a pixel signal C6 having a color or luminance offset by an offset value is obtained by executing the inverse discrete cosine transform process. In the conversion processing apparatus of FIG. 12, the pixel signal generation unit C5A executes this process.

  Next, a constant is added to each pixel signal C6 (constant addition processing C7 in FIG. 11 and constant addition unit C7A in FIG. 12). As described above, the constant addition process C7 is an algorithm unique to the decoding process of the advanced profile and does not exist in the decoding process of the simple profile and the main profile. Since the addition amount of the constant is considered in advance by C4, the pixel signal obtained as a result of this constant addition processing C7 becomes the color or luminance of the pixel signal recorded as the simple profile or the main profile.

  Finally, a predetermined overlap smoothing process C8 and loop filter process C9 are executed to obtain a decoded (expanded) image signal. In the conversion processing apparatus of FIG. 12, the overlap smooth processing unit C8A and the loop filter processing unit C9A execute this processing.

  As described above, in the image signal conversion processing method of this example, processing for adding a predetermined offset value to a DCT coefficient is added, and such offset value addition processing can be realized with a simple program. Can do. Therefore, the VC-1 simple / main profile can be reproduced in real time using the same algorithm as that of the advanced profile, that is, the Blu-ray reproducing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Playback apparatus 11 ... Input / output part 12 ... Decoding part 13 ... Management file storage part 14 ... Stream file storage part 15 ... Capacity adjustment part 16 ... Detection part 17 ... Selection part 18 ... Playback control part 2 ... Display apparatus 3 ... Imaging Device 4 ... Distribution server 41 ... Data input / output unit 42 ... Content generation unit 43 ... Content storage unit 5 ... Internet B1 ... Recording device B11 ... Input unit B12 ... Conversion unit B13 ... Selection unit B14 ... Storage unit B15 ... Recording control unit C1 ... Simple profile / Main profile C2 ... Composite processing C2A ... Frequency component generation unit C3 ... DCT coefficient C4 ... Offset value addition processing C4A ... Offset value addition unit C5 ... Inverse discrete cosine transform processing C5A ... Image signal generation unit C6 ... Pixel signal C7: Constant addition processing C7A: Constant addition unit

Claims (9)

A distribution server storing content having a management file and a plurality of stream files having different data amounts;
A content distribution system comprising: a playback device that downloads the content via a communication line and starts playback of the content during the download;
The playback device
A management file storage unit for downloading and temporarily storing the management file;
A detection unit for detecting a communication speed by the communication line;
A selection unit that selects a stream file having a data amount according to a communication speed detected by the detection unit from a plurality of stream files having different data amounts stored in the distribution server;
A stream file storage unit that downloads and temporarily stores the stream file selected by the selection unit;
When the data amount of the stream file stored in the stream file storage unit is different from the data amount specified in the management file, the data amount of the stream file is made to match the data amount specified in the management file. A capacity adjustment unit for adding padding data to
A playback control unit that plays back the stream file adjusted by the capacity adjustment unit,
The distribution server extracts only I pictures included in the stream file in response to the fast-forward or fast-reverse request when the playback device outputs a request for fast-forward or fast-rewind to the distribution server. Output
The playback device temporarily stores a plurality of downloaded I pictures, and adds padding data so that the data amount of the stored plurality of I pictures matches the data amount of the original stream file, Play the I picture based on the clip info file included in the management file,
The playback device activates the program of a Blu-ray disc medium storing a program having one or a plurality of network connection functions and a unique identifier of the medium, and connects to the distribution server specified by the program via a network. ,
The distribution server is set with a unique identifier of a Blu-ray Disc medium that should be permitted to output the content, and a program for reading the unique identifier of the Blu-ray Disc medium is installed and the unique identifier of the Blu-ray Disc medium that has been accessed And determining whether or not the unique identifier is a preset unique identifier. If the unique identifier is a preset unique identifier, a predetermined content is output to the playback device. Distribution system. The content distribution system according to claim 1,
A recording device for generating content and recording it on a Blu-ray Disc medium;
The recording device comprises:
An input unit for inputting digital audio / video information captured by an external imaging device;
A converter for converting the input digital audio / video information into digital audio / video information in BDMV format;
A storage unit storing a program having one or a plurality of network connection functions, the program including a step of connecting the playback device to a predetermined server and downloading information associated with the imaging device to the playback device When,
A content distribution system comprising: a BDMV digital audio / video information converted by the conversion unit; and a recording control unit that records a program stored in the storage unit on a Blu-ray disc medium. The content distribution system according to claim 2,
The recording apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects a program stored in the storage unit,
The content distribution system in which the recording control unit records the BDMV digital audio / video information converted by the conversion unit and the program selected by the selection unit on the Blu-ray disc medium. The content distribution system according to claim 2 or 3,
The program stored in the storage unit includes a step of connecting the playback device to a plurality of predetermined servers in a continuous or selectable manner. In the contents distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The program stored in the storage unit transmits a unique identifier of the Blu-ray Disc medium recorded in advance on the Blu-ray Disc medium or written by the recording device to a distribution server connected to the playback device,
The content distribution system, wherein the distribution server selects information to be transmitted based on the received unique identifier of the Blu-ray disc medium. In the content distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The program stored in the storage unit includes a step of uploading digital audio / video information recorded on the Blu-ray disc medium by connecting the playback device to a predetermined server. In the content distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The program stored in the storage unit includes a step of recording a desired information position in the storage unit of the playback device while playing back the digital audio / video information recorded on the Blu-ray disc medium in the playback device. Delivery system. In the content delivery system according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
The program stored in the storage unit includes a step of searching for a desired information position during playback of digital audio / video information recorded on the Blu-ray disc medium in the playback device. The content distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
The program stored in the storage unit is a content distribution system including a game program.

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